Macatangay, Tabuena on course for title

Only a major collapse in the final round will stop Miguel Tabuena and Terence Macatangay from clinching victory for Team Philippines as they pulled away by six strokes in their respective divisions in the Desert Junior Classic in Palm Springs, California.

Another RP victory appears in the bag as Mia Piccio led compatriot Debbie de Villa by two strokes in the girls 11-12 years. The third girl in the rankings, first round leader Kimberly Kim of Hawaii soared to an 89 and dropped 10 strokes behind Piccio.

Wolen Juan Superal, who bungled a winning position last week in the Junior World in San Diego remained in the running for the boys 10-11 years crown with his 76-147 putting him just a shot adrift of Hawaii’s Bradley Shigezawa.

Tabuena, facing bigger and taller rivals, conquered the long course with his steady play and scored a 37 for nine holes at the Landmark Golf Club to move six strokes ahead of Thailand’s Meechie Padungsiriseth.

Tabuena’s 73 for two rounds easily stood out among the 40 entries from various countries which included five other Philippine bets.

Macatangay, meanwhile, showed up the 25-player cast in the boys 14-15 years. He moved on the brink of his first major title after shooting a 76 for a 147 aggregate and a six-shot lead over Charlie Sumner of San Diego, who scored a 77-153.

Andrea Legaspi will be up for a big duel with a fancied American rival, Danielle Frasier, in her bid to join the winners roster.

Legaspi, daughter of a military colonel, carded a 38 and with her 76 total trailed California’s Frasier by just three shots going to tomorrow’s last nine holes of play.

John Kier Abdon moved up to solo fourth in the boys 12-13 with his 77-152 at the Mission Hills Country Club course but still trailed Jonnie Motomochi of Japan by seven strokes.

The other RP scores: Girls 10-under Kristina Potenciano 50-95, Andie Unson 54-105, Angelika de Villa 52-110; Boys 8-9 Bino dela Paz 42-83, JR Gonzales 43-85, Christian Ricohermoso 46-94, JP de Claro 46-95. Boys 14-15 Gino Bunyi 84-162.